 X-men leader Scott Summers (Cyclops) and his brother, Alex (Havok), thought they were the only children in their family. Separated from their parents for most of their lives -- only to later discover their father, Christopher Summers, was an intergalactic space pirate named Corsair -- they were all that each other had. That is, until Vulcan.
In a surprising twist to Marvel continuity, a third Summers brother was introduced - Gabriel. Torn from his mother's womb and raised in an alien slave-prison on Earth, the kid was not raised as his brothers, to be a fine, up-standing mutant hero. In truth, he was a bit nutty in the head: racing off into space to destroy the alien race known as the Shi'ar who murdered his mother and butchered his childhood.
Following closely on his heels and fearing for the life of the Shi'ar empress that he loves, a de-powered Charles Xavier takes a small band of his faithful mutant followers into space after Vulcan to bring him back and put an end to his mad thirst for vengeance.
In Shi'ar space, Corsair is killed, Vulcan becomes emperor by marrying into the bloodline and killing the reigning D'Ken, and Xavier regains his world-class psychic-friend abilities. When the time comes to return home, Havok and a hand full of his teammates stay behind to help clean up the mess, lead Corsair's rebellion, and oppose his demented emperor-brother.
Picking up where the events of Uncanny X-Men's "Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire" (issues 475-486) story arc left off, the new X-Men Emperor Vulcan 5-issue miniseries continues the adventures of a handful of Charles Xavier's mutants in space.
Left behind in the ether are heroes Havok, Polaris (Lorna Dane), and Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey). They team with the remnant of Corsair's pirate crew called the Starjammers and an insurgent faction of Shi'ar not willing to side with Vulcan or his queen, Deathbird, and supporting the return of "true" empress Lilandra Neramani.
Only two issues in to the miniseries and the plot begins to thicken. The first issue shows a disguised Vulcan walking the streets among the common folk and realizing he is not the strong and supported leader he believed himself to be. It is only through the consoling of Deathbird that he agrees to continue on, pressing beyond his insecurities for a more aggressive approach to quell the civil uprising against his rule.
On the other side, Havok deals with his own insecurities as a leader, unsure that he is qualified for his position, despite his strategies and backing. The plan devised is to take out a Shi'ar outpost called "Feather's Edge" and to continue to weaken the supply lines and sway other soldiers to the side of the resistance.
What should be a surprise attack is met full-force by Vulcan and his army, though before the battle can begin, a new fleet of ships enters the arena, these piloted by an ancient race calling themselves the Scy'ar Tal, a name meaning "Death to the Shi'ar."
Issue two gives a background on these newcomers, claiming that the Shi'ar's prized jewel, the M'Kraan crystal, nexus to all realities, originally belonged to the Scy'ar tal, as well as the Shi'ar home-world. Both were taken from them by force, their entire species nearly extinct. The reason for their existence was rewritten for vengeance. Their skills became legendary.
When Vulcan and his general, Gladiator, confront these new foes, the all-powerful emperor is defeated. His ship is blown-up. The X-Men are also threatened, believed to be in-league with the aliens the Scy'ar Tal have dedicated their existence to eliminate. Feather's Edge is destroyed by advanced Shi'ar technology being used against them.
And in the final scene, Vulcan realizes that he cannot defeat these new adversaries on his own strength. He must seek aid in Havok and the resistance, effectively calling a truce in their feud.
Writer Christopher Yost (New X-Men) tells a compelling story of a civil war and a family feud, pitting siblings on opposing sides. In this corner, Alex Summers and Lilandra Neramani square off against Gabriel Summers and Deathbird. This creates a very real tension and weight, especially on Havok's shoulders, and the theme is one to relate to, a very important element in a comic that takes place in outer space with people who shoot energy from their hands. The dialogue is believable and well-written. The plot is left dangling every issue with a cliff-hanger that leaves the reader wanting more.
The art is solid, neither standing out nor blending in. New-comer Paco Diaz (with covers by Billy Tan of Uncanny X-Men fame) sketches out a more classic look to the tale, fore-going the anime influences and recognizable flair artists like Chris Bachalo (X-Men) and Humberto Ramos (Wolverine, New X-Men) bring to their pages. Despite this, for his first discernible work, Diaz delivers hard-hitting action sequences, characters rich with emotion, vibrant energy and explosions, and art that keeps the pages turning.
With three issues to come, the books are worth picking up for the great story, character interactions and the ominous impending fight between Havok and Vulcan. While not having near the cataclysmic response of other story-arcs, like its predecessor or even The Phoenix Saga, fans will not want to miss the exciting conclusion and find out what happens to some recognizable faces. Will the heroes be returning to Earth when all is said and done?
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